In more ways than one. Iam now working at our headquarters in Winchester leading our work on how we engage with the public, our control rooms and enquiry centre and media and corporate communications. I am also moving to http://chiefsupermatt.tumblr.com/ so follow me there is you are interested in my views etc.
Thanks for readin me here if you have been!
Thursday, 19 May 2011
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Just as I was leaving.....
What a dramatic and tragic event on HMS Astute. This should have been a good will visit to the City for the sub and its crew but it ended in the terrible shooting and the brave response of those on board at the time. It seemed strange to me no longer to be responding to such an incident in Southampton but I knew Supt. Steve France-Sargeant and Chief Superintendent Dave Thomas were dealing with it with great professionalism. I don't expect Dave would have anticipated being on TV talking about such a serious incident within his first week but that's the nature of policing a busy City I guess.
If I thought my new job was going to be loads of corporate stuff then I was right but it is also about some really exciting potential developments in how we communicate. At last a new and much better internet site is planned and we have a project to deliver really informative data about local crime linked with the chance to have local officers and PCSOs giving information about those crimes and what is being done about it. If I can be involved in changing the way we are 'seen' and 'heard' by people then I think that would be a good way to improve our service and improve people's confidence in us. I think we need new ways of communicating but also a new language and vocabulary. Less of the "a female was ........." or "at approximately xxhours an incident occured......." and more simple, plain and convincing language. I am going to have a go at Twitter and see if there is any interest in what I have to say about my work, the Constabulary, policing issues etc. We'll see and I will report back!
If I thought my new job was going to be loads of corporate stuff then I was right but it is also about some really exciting potential developments in how we communicate. At last a new and much better internet site is planned and we have a project to deliver really informative data about local crime linked with the chance to have local officers and PCSOs giving information about those crimes and what is being done about it. If I can be involved in changing the way we are 'seen' and 'heard' by people then I think that would be a good way to improve our service and improve people's confidence in us. I think we need new ways of communicating but also a new language and vocabulary. Less of the "a female was ........." or "at approximately xxhours an incident occured......." and more simple, plain and convincing language. I am going to have a go at Twitter and see if there is any interest in what I have to say about my work, the Constabulary, policing issues etc. We'll see and I will report back!
Monday, 4 April 2011
New job
This week I start a new job at Police Headquarters in Winchester. I am over-seeing some of the important changes we are going to make in Hampshire Constabulary to improve the way we communicate with and serve the public. That includes the work of our force control room (the place you get through to when you ring 999), our Force Enquiry Centre (the place you get through to if you ring non emergency e.g. 0845 045 4545), our corporate media and communications dept. and more. I shall miss working in Southampton but it's time for someone else to have what I think is one of the best jobs going. Superintendent Steve France-Sargeant is the new Commander for Southampton and Chief Superintendent Dave Thomas is the Commander for the newly merged West Policing Area. Good luck to them both.
My leaving do last week was split between one of the oldest pubs in town (Tudor connections and a parrot, know where?) and one of the newest Indian restaurants - both were great. My departure was short lived though as this week I come back to take charge of the Saints v Charlton game. I hope that wont feature in a future blog as if it did that would probably mean there had been problems and buoyant Saints heading back to the Championship don't need any fan trouble. Any such potential problems though would pale into insignificance in comparison to what the Police Service of Northern Ireland is facing with the murder of PC Ronan Kerr. How hard it must be, but how important to give good leadership at such times. Let's hope the community turns against those responsible and even better turns them in. How the police service and the community recover from such tragedy is dependent on the trust and confidence with each other. One of the purposes of my new job is to increase that confidence in policing. One way to do that is for us to find a more open and accessible identity and voice, both collectively and individually. If you've ideas about how we can communicate better please let me know.
My leaving do last week was split between one of the oldest pubs in town (Tudor connections and a parrot, know where?) and one of the newest Indian restaurants - both were great. My departure was short lived though as this week I come back to take charge of the Saints v Charlton game. I hope that wont feature in a future blog as if it did that would probably mean there had been problems and buoyant Saints heading back to the Championship don't need any fan trouble. Any such potential problems though would pale into insignificance in comparison to what the Police Service of Northern Ireland is facing with the murder of PC Ronan Kerr. How hard it must be, but how important to give good leadership at such times. Let's hope the community turns against those responsible and even better turns them in. How the police service and the community recover from such tragedy is dependent on the trust and confidence with each other. One of the purposes of my new job is to increase that confidence in policing. One way to do that is for us to find a more open and accessible identity and voice, both collectively and individually. If you've ideas about how we can communicate better please let me know.
Monday, 21 March 2011
Too sad for words
The funeral for our colleague Sarah last Thursday was an extraordinary event. Too sad for many words but those from sarah read by the priest were extraordinary and very moving for everyone there. So many officers lined up in solemn, silent, sadness saying goodbye to a wonderful colleague. It was quite something to see and to be part of. As I walked back to the car afterwards I passed a group of kids on bikes just hanging out on the street. I wasn't very much in the mood to chat when they asked me "Why so many police around?". Half expecting a dismissive or disrespectful response I was caught out when their response to my explanation was "Hope she rests in peace". Enough said.
On we go this week with policing in the City. We've seen some more good arrests in line with our commitment to reduce burglary and catch burglars.
We continue to push on reducing the number of people we suspect of crimes but haven't yet arrested. People suspected of crimes should be held to account for or cleared of those crimes asap. As long as it doesn't compromise professionalism or fairness then I do favour dealing with these things quickly. Slow justice is no justice especially for victims.
We've seen a slight increase in the levels of satisfaction people feel about the service we give. That's good too and must remain at the core of what we do. Whatever the challenges we face we musn't lose people's confidence in us and their satisfaction in how we treat them. After all this job will always be about people, criminals we catch, victims we support and colleagues we work with.
Just 2 more weeks for me as the local Police Commander before I hand over to Dave Thomas so this isn't a goodbye to Southampton message quite yet! Full council did me the honour of recognising my leaving last week. I'm not one for pomp and circumstance but it was touching to receive the thanks of the Mayor and all the city councillors.
On we go this week with policing in the City. We've seen some more good arrests in line with our commitment to reduce burglary and catch burglars.
We continue to push on reducing the number of people we suspect of crimes but haven't yet arrested. People suspected of crimes should be held to account for or cleared of those crimes asap. As long as it doesn't compromise professionalism or fairness then I do favour dealing with these things quickly. Slow justice is no justice especially for victims.
We've seen a slight increase in the levels of satisfaction people feel about the service we give. That's good too and must remain at the core of what we do. Whatever the challenges we face we musn't lose people's confidence in us and their satisfaction in how we treat them. After all this job will always be about people, criminals we catch, victims we support and colleagues we work with.
Just 2 more weeks for me as the local Police Commander before I hand over to Dave Thomas so this isn't a goodbye to Southampton message quite yet! Full council did me the honour of recognising my leaving last week. I'm not one for pomp and circumstance but it was touching to receive the thanks of the Mayor and all the city councillors.
Thursday, 10 March 2011
Police Pay and Conditions
A double hit this week with reports on police pay and conditions and public sector pensions. Several of the posts on websites are critical of police for the supposed extravagant allowances and other bits of extra pay it is suggested officers get. Like many in the service I do think there are elements to our pay and conditions which are anachronistic or otherwise due for updating. However, there is also a lot of misinformation and mischievous reporting. For example the point about officers being able to claim overtime for a brief phone call when off duty. That may be true but I don’t know anyone who has claimed that allowance and many probably don’t even know about it. That's part of the problem. The current arrangements have been developed over a very long period but through rather piece-meal and sometimes poorly planned changes often driven by different political, public and financial pressures. That means the regulations and conditions are complex, poorly understood and inconsistently followed. Truth is there is probably lots more that could be claimed by individuals but which isn't. Did you see the comment that we should publish details about when senior officers use first class travel? I know several colleagues who wouldn't dream of taking 1st class travel even if they are entitled to it. That sort of issue may attract media attention but it's not really what this debate needs to be about.
I hope this time the changes are more coherent and can be seen to be fair to officers and staff. Fairness for me means that we still recognise the special nature of the office of constable and the special role police officers and many police staff fulfil. That doesn’t mean unjustified protectionist measures, nor 'favouratist' treatment in comparison to plenty of other public servants during this time of austerity. This is a time to be bold about how the whole country gets itself out of the current financial mess and policing has a part to play in that. Of course that part may also be one which has to keep communities safe in the face of growing public unease and maybe demonstration about some of the changes being considered and implemented.
There will be great strength of feeling about some of the proposals and I can understand why. What I don’t want to see is that concern being fuelled by misinformation or politically motivated rhetoric. It worries me that we might see a wedge being driven between police and public and even between different elements within the police. The arrival of elected police commissioners in April 2012 adds another element into the mix. When the country faces general uncertainty and individual worry then it's not a time to have a police service which is collectively and individually demotivated. There's no reason for that to happen if we can avoid the distraction of ill-informed comment and we keep together as a service and keep together with the public and the communities we serve now and will continue to serve to the best of our ability.
I hope this time the changes are more coherent and can be seen to be fair to officers and staff. Fairness for me means that we still recognise the special nature of the office of constable and the special role police officers and many police staff fulfil. That doesn’t mean unjustified protectionist measures, nor 'favouratist' treatment in comparison to plenty of other public servants during this time of austerity. This is a time to be bold about how the whole country gets itself out of the current financial mess and policing has a part to play in that. Of course that part may also be one which has to keep communities safe in the face of growing public unease and maybe demonstration about some of the changes being considered and implemented.
There will be great strength of feeling about some of the proposals and I can understand why. What I don’t want to see is that concern being fuelled by misinformation or politically motivated rhetoric. It worries me that we might see a wedge being driven between police and public and even between different elements within the police. The arrival of elected police commissioners in April 2012 adds another element into the mix. When the country faces general uncertainty and individual worry then it's not a time to have a police service which is collectively and individually demotivated. There's no reason for that to happen if we can avoid the distraction of ill-informed comment and we keep together as a service and keep together with the public and the communities we serve now and will continue to serve to the best of our ability.
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
New station open to public - and ready for detainees!
Well we're in the new station at last. All the talk is over, all the hard work to plan and build it is done and we are moving in and opening to the public on 7th March. I noticed in the Echo an article about the developer's profits and some of the discussion comments about the buildings they have put up in the city recently, one being the new police station, and what the benefits are to the city. Having met people from the developers, in particular their project manager, and some of the workers on site I can say how impressed I have been with their pride in their work and their sense of commitment to the City of Southampton and it's people. I share that pride and like them the Constabulary will make this major new building an asset for the city and people in the city not just for the Police.
An update on my previous comments about the rise in burglaries in the city. Well we have been working really hard to catch those committing these crimes and we are having considerable success. Every week we are arresting those we suspect are causing such misery to the victims and we will keep at it. The burglary rate is now falling but I don’t want anyone to be complacent. There are still too many times when people are leaving houses insecure and property on show. Please keep alert to suspicious activities and don't hesitate to ring us. We have had some good examples of people doing just that and us then catching suspected burglars. We do need people to be careful and stay alert to what goes on in neighbourhoods.
The Constabulary is going through some major changes over the next few years and under our Chief Constable's leadership we aren't hanging around but we are getting on with planning for a future where we protect front line policing and make everything else as efficient and lean as possible with most of that in place by April 2012. That includes some changes to senior posts now to get ready for 2012 and next month I shall be on the move to work at Police Headquarters whilst I will be succeeded by Ch Supt Dave Thomas. So I wont be doing many more posts here as the Southampton Police Commander and this is a chance to say thanks if you have been reading them and for the comments.
An update on my previous comments about the rise in burglaries in the city. Well we have been working really hard to catch those committing these crimes and we are having considerable success. Every week we are arresting those we suspect are causing such misery to the victims and we will keep at it. The burglary rate is now falling but I don’t want anyone to be complacent. There are still too many times when people are leaving houses insecure and property on show. Please keep alert to suspicious activities and don't hesitate to ring us. We have had some good examples of people doing just that and us then catching suspected burglars. We do need people to be careful and stay alert to what goes on in neighbourhoods.
The Constabulary is going through some major changes over the next few years and under our Chief Constable's leadership we aren't hanging around but we are getting on with planning for a future where we protect front line policing and make everything else as efficient and lean as possible with most of that in place by April 2012. That includes some changes to senior posts now to get ready for 2012 and next month I shall be on the move to work at Police Headquarters whilst I will be succeeded by Ch Supt Dave Thomas. So I wont be doing many more posts here as the Southampton Police Commander and this is a chance to say thanks if you have been reading them and for the comments.
Thursday, 27 January 2011
Living in hope
The story this week in the Echo about the increase in dwelling burglaries does mention our response and it's pleasing to be able to say that we are having some success and we have arrested 36 suspected burglars just since the 1st of January. Some of the comments on the story talk about the rise being caused by the economic downturn. Others don’t agree. I am sure it's a significant (but not only) factor. Whatever the cause we will go on catching burglars but prevention is even better so I appeal to people to do what they can to make their property safer. We have too many cases where houses, doors and windows are left unlocked or open. Please also tell us straight away if you see anything suspicious and don't buy someone else's misery. The laptops, cameras and phones being stolen are being sold on to people who must suspect their origin. Buying can be 'Handling' and that’s a serious crime in it's own right.
On a happier note in December all recorded crime in Southampton was the lowest in one month that it has been since 2003. I know the cynical will say that was because of the weather and it may have played a part but let's not deny that a reduction in overall reported crime has been sustained consistently for the last few years. 14% down in Southampton last year and down another 6% since April 2010.
Some readers will already be 'turning off' and moaning at my quoting crime data so that’s enough for now.
This weekend we have another high-octane football match at St Mary's. I was at the last round (as a punter) and enjoyed seeing what I thought was a great bunch of away fans (and of course the great result). Let's hope on Saturday the away crowd is as good humoured and that no Saints fans let down the club or the City. Is it madness to hope for a similar result………………..? Probably but optimism is generally the best approach in work and play so I will hope for a win and, with public help, for us to stem the flow of burglaries very soon.
On a happier note in December all recorded crime in Southampton was the lowest in one month that it has been since 2003. I know the cynical will say that was because of the weather and it may have played a part but let's not deny that a reduction in overall reported crime has been sustained consistently for the last few years. 14% down in Southampton last year and down another 6% since April 2010.
Some readers will already be 'turning off' and moaning at my quoting crime data so that’s enough for now.
This weekend we have another high-octane football match at St Mary's. I was at the last round (as a punter) and enjoyed seeing what I thought was a great bunch of away fans (and of course the great result). Let's hope on Saturday the away crowd is as good humoured and that no Saints fans let down the club or the City. Is it madness to hope for a similar result………………..? Probably but optimism is generally the best approach in work and play so I will hope for a win and, with public help, for us to stem the flow of burglaries very soon.
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